men, with the loss of thirty-seven at most, which would not have been even so many, but the ardour of the country people led them between the flank guards and main body several times, which exposed them to certain death, being between two fires.

Our Assembly has sent two gentlemen to General Gage, to give him to understand that if he means to continue his hostile proceedings, he must expect all the country armed against him, determined to repel force with force to the last man; and I believe the prudent General will not venture his bones forty miles out in the country, with all the aid expected over this summer. The people in this country and Massachusetts, &c., are in high spirits, and fear him not, but wish he would try one expedition more into the country.

NATHANIEL FREEMAN TO DR. BENJAMIN CHURCH.

Sandwich, May 2, 1775.

SIR: Yours, enclosing the Resolve of the Committee of Safety, as to securing the boats, &c., has been received. I have secured all the boats in this part of the Country that will be of service to the Colony, and have given Col. Cobb orders to secure those below, which, I presume, by this time is done. We hauled the boats ashore, and hid them in swamps, sand, and wood, which was all that could be done here. Any farther orders from the honourable Committee in the cause of God and my Country, I am ready to execute with the greatest pleasure. And am, Sir, your very humble servant,

NATHL. FREEMAN.

Doctor Church.

GENERAL THOMAS TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Roxbury Camp. May 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: In consequence of directions from the Committee of Safety, I sent an officer, on whom I could depend, to the house of Governour Hutchinson, Who brought off all the papers he could find in that house, but I was informed that Colonel Taylor, of Milton, had lately taken several trunks out of the Governour’s house not many days ago, in order to save them from being plundered. I immediately sent another messenger to Colonel Taylor for all the papers that belong to Governour Hutchinson, which he had in possession; he sent me for answer, he did not know of any papers that belong to Doctor Hutchinson, but just now comes and informs me that there are several trunks in his house, which he took as aforesaid, which he expects will be sent for very soon, and suspects there may be papers in the trunks; and if it is thought proper two or three judicious persons be sent to break open and search for papers, he will give them his assistance. This, gentlemen, is submitted to the consideration of the honourable Committee. I have, gentlemen, the honour to subscribe myself your most obedient humble servant,

JNO. THOMAS.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE GOVERNOUR OF CONNECTICUT.

Cambridge, May 2, 1775.

We yesterday had a conference with Dr. Johnson and Colonel Wolcott, who were appointed by your Assembly to deliver a letter to, and hold a conference with, General Gage. We feel the warmest gratitude to you for those generous and affectionate sentiments which you entertain towards us. But you will allow us to express our uneasiness on account of one paragraph in your letter, in which a cessation of hostilities is proposed. We fear that our brethren in Connecticut are not even yet convinced of the cruel designs of Administration against America, nor thoroughly sensible of the miseries to which General Gage’s Army have reduced this wretched Colony. We have lost the Town of Boston, and we greatly fear for the inhabitants of Boston, as we find the General is perpetually making new conditions, and forming the most unreasonable pretensions for retarding their removal from that garrison. Our seaports on the eastern coasts are mostly deserted. Our people have been barbarously murdered by an insidious enemy, who, under cover of the night, have marched into the heart of the country, spreading destruction with fire and sword. No business but that of war is either done or thought of in this Colony. No agreement or compact with General Gage will in the least alleviate our distress, as no confidence can possibly be placed in any assurances he can give to a people whom he has first deceived in the matter, taking possession of and fortifying the Town of Boston, and whom he has suffered his Army to attack in the most inhuman and treacherous manner. Our relief now must arise from driving General Gage, with his Troops, out of the Country, which, with the blessing of God, we are determined to accomplish, or perish in the attempt, as we think an honourable death in the field, whilst fighting for the liberties of all America, far preferable to being butchered in our own houses, or to be reduced to an ignominious slavery.

We must entreat that our sister Colony, Connecticut, will afford, immediately, all possible aid, as at this time delay will be attended with all that fatal train of events which would follow from an absolute desertion of the cause of American liberty. Excuse our earnestness on this subject, as we know that upon the success of our present contest depend the lives and liberties of our Country and succeeding generations. We are, &c.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MR. VOSE, AT MILTON.

Cambridge, May 2, 1775.

I am directed to let you know that Mr. Boyce applied to this Committee for a prisoner, who is a paper-maker, and was then at Worcester, and agreed to pay the expenses of removal, &c. In consequence of this application, the prisoner has been removed to his mills, but he refuses to pay the charges, (as Colonel Barrett informs.) The Committee consider themselves as ill treated, and are determined to remove the prisoner from Mr. Boyce’s, and tender him to you upon the same conditions, desiring your immediate attendance. We are, &c.

RICHARD DERBY, JUN., TO GENERAL WARD.

Ipswich, May 2, 1775, Five o’clock, P. M.

SIR: I am now on my way from Newburyport to Salem, from whence I proposed sending the following advice per express, but meeting with an opportunity by one of your officers, I embrace it, and inform you that about two o’clock this afternoon Captain John Lee arrived at Newbury from Bilboa, in twenty-nine days, and informed me that on the 14th of last month, in longitude, forty-five degrees from London, he spoke a vessel from Plymouth, in England, who informed him that three days before he parted with a fleet of sixty sail of transports bound for Boston, under the command of Admiral Lord Howe, having on board twelve thousand Hessian Troops. He saw and read the London papers down to the 12th of March, from which, and by the Captain of the vessel, he learnt that twenty-seven Commissioners were on board the fleet, and that they were directed, if possible, to adjust matters; if not, they were ordered to risk every thing to penetrate into the Country; if not able to effect this, then to burn and destroy all in their power. Burgoyne was near sailing, with four thousand Hanoverians, for Quebeck, and a number of regiments are gone to the Southern Colonies. The Ministry had quieted the Prussian Monarch, by paying him all his demands. France and Spain had objected against any Prussians coming this way.

This is the purport of what I had from the Captain, who is a man of veracity. I advised the gentlemen at Newbury to collect what further they could, and inform you. Please to inform the Court of this matter. I am, &c.

RICHARD DERBY, Jun.

P. S. Captain Lee could not obtain leave to bring any English paper, but only to read them.

RICHARD GLOVER TO MATTHEW TILGHMAN.

London, May 3, 1775.

SIR: The high station which you hold, and the distinguished character you bear in your Country, must apologize for me, who, trusting to your liberal sentiments, use the freedom of troubling you with this application. It is suggested by a sense of justice, and the certain knowledge

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